West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek stated the Premier League has change into “like basketball” after his aspect misplaced a vital recreation towards Nottingham Forest following what he described as a “joke” determination to award their opponents a late penalty.
The video assistant referee (VAR) intervened after Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola collided with Morgan Gibbs-White whereas making an attempt to get to a cross.
Soucek, who headed the free-kick clear earlier than it might attain Areola or Gibbs-White, drew comparisons to basketball – a sport by which minimal contact is permitted.
Gibbs-White’s ensuing 89th-minute spot-kick condemned West Ham to a 2-1 defeat which left Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect seven factors adrift of security.
“For me it’s a joke. I simply noticed it once more and I believe we are able to have 20 penalties per recreation whether it is like that,” Soucek informed Sky Sports activities.
“I got here to the Premier League as a result of I assumed it was the hardest league on the earth, and we’re all fighters and warriors.
“However this seems extra like basketball when you’ll be able to’t contact the participant.
“[Areola] is identical within the dressing room. He did not know who was fouled. He got here for the ball, I believe I cleared it and it was already out. We did not know why there was VAR after which the penalty, so it was robust for all of us.”
